Fire Safety

To keep everyone safe, we ask all residents to follow these fire door safety rules:

• Keep fire doors closed at all times. They are designed to contain fire and smoke
• Do not wedge fire doors open. This stops them from protecting you
• Do not tamper with self closing devices. These help the door work properly
• Report any damage or faults straight away, including broken closers, gaps or visible wear

What Not to Do to a Fire Door

Please do not damage your fire door. Do not add or change any door features such as adding letterboxes, spy holes or drilling into the door surface. Any changes that damage the door could make it less effective and less safe in the event of a fire.

You’ll get fire door safety information when you move in and again each year. Please read it carefully and help us keep your building safe.

Fire doors play a vital role in keeping your building safe. When used correctly, they help stop the spread of fire and smoke. This gives residents time to escape and allows fire crews to get in quickly.

Fire doors are designed to:

• Contain fire in the flat or area where it starts
• Protect other flats and communal areas
• Provide a safe escape route for residents

Flat entrance doors are not like normal front doors. They must be fire rated and certified. This means they’re specially designed to resist fire. You cannot buy these types of doors in DIY stores. For everyone’s safety, please do not replace, remove or tamper with your flat’s front door or any other fire doors in the building.

We’ll do a quick check of your flat’s entrance fire door to make sure it’s safe and working properly. This usually takes no more than 10 minutes.

We’ll be looking for:

• Damage or changes to any glass panels in the door
• Gaps around the door frame, and whether seals and hinges are fitted correctly
• Whether the door closer shuts the door fully and smoothly
• That the door closes securely all around the frame
• Any visible damage from wear and tear

If we find any problems, we’ll let you know and arrange for repairs if needed.

We have a fire door inspector who checks our fire doors for us. They check communal doors every three months. You can see the status of your door by scanning the QR code on it.

Most of our properties are fitted with mains operated smoke, heat or carbon monoxide detectors including a battery back up.

When we let our properties these are tested to make sure they are working. They are also checked when we do gas and electrical safety checks.

If your detector makes an intermittent beeping noise please contact us and we will arrange a visit.

Please do not remove, cover or damage the detectors in any way, and report any damage to us immediately.

Clean your smoke alarm every month using a vacuum with a soft brush to gently clean it. This helps get rid of dust or tiny bugs that might stop it from working properly.

If you require a different method of alert, please contact us.

Smoke makes it almost impossible to see when you’re trying to escape. You need to plan how you would escape if a fire did break out. Then practice it with your family.

The best exit is usually the nearest one, but have a backup plan in case it is blocked. Think about it being the middle of the night and dark outside. How do you get out if the fire was downstairs?

• Make sure everyone knows the escape plan, even young children.
• Keep keys near doors and windows so it is quicker to get out.
• Never use a lift to escape. You could become trapped.
• If you live in a block of flats, read the evacuation policy. This will be near the entrance to the block.

• Keep corridors and exits clear. Obstructions block your escape route and stop the fire service from getting in. They can also fuel a fire.
• If you live somewhere with communal corridors or other areas, do not leave items like bikes, buggies or mobility scooters in them.
• If you see items left in communal areas, please report them to us and we will get them removed.
• Do not prop open fire doors. They are there to stop the spread of fire. They are designed to expand to stop smoke escaping.
• Please let us know if you notice any damage or faults with fire doors or self closer door fixings.

Please report any issues with fire doors to repairs@cornerstonehousing.net

• Do not delay to save valuables or look for pets.
• Do not go to see where the fire is.
• Crawl along the floor. Smoke will rise and the cleanest air is near the floor. Smoke is poisonous and can kill you.
• Before you open any doors, feel them with the back of your hand. If they are warm, do not open them. The fire is likely to be on the other side.
• If you are escaping together, stay together if you can.
• If you are the last one out, close the door behind you to slow the progress of the fire.

For more information on fire safety, visit Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue website.

• Check your electrical appliances to make sure there’s no faults, loose or exposed wires.
• Do not overload electrical sockets. Use one plug in each socket. If you have to use more, use a fused adapter and keep the total output to no more than 13 amps (a kettle uses 13 amps). High rated appliances such as washing machines always need their own socket.
• Do not run appliances like washing machines or dishwashers at night or when no one is home.
• Clean lint from tumble dryers and do not leave them on when you are away from the home.
• Keep the toaster, oven, hob and grill clean. A build up of fat and grease can catch fire.
• Do not burn candles in your home and keep soft furnishings away from anything that generates heat, including light bulbs.
• Take care in the kitchen. Do not leave cooking unattended and keep electrical appliances and leads away from water.
• If you smoke, make sure you stub any cigarettes completely out.

Please do not use or store paraffin heaters, liquid petroleum, propane and butane gas appliances or other flammable or explosive substances in the home.

Please let us know if you intend to keep pressurised oxygen tanks at your home.